Olde Mill Village Crier

Volume 39,  Number  2  /  February 2009

President’s Message
   We have been busy working on the budgets and trying to finalize everything for the general membership to vote on. I thank everyone who put time into taking care of the budgets for both VOMCA and the Olde Mill Swim Club.
   Well it’s that time of year again for the Olde Mill Swim Club—doing the early preparations for another summer season that will be here before we know it. If anyone is interested in any positions with the swim club, please email me at tastag@verizon.net. All the positions are open to any pool member. There are only two positions that have special requirements: The Pool Chairperson must be a VOMCA member and serves a one-year term on the VOMCA Board. This position is approved by the VOMCA Board and the chairperson serves at the pleasure of VOMCA. The second position is the Pool Treasurer, who is also required to be a VOMCA member as well. Each year all positions are open for anyone who would have an interest in serving. Please see the VOMCA bylaws for further information.
   Rick Behringer has started a list of sidewalks in Olde Mill for which people have requested repairs. If anyone would like to have their sidewalk added, please send an email to Rick at board@vomca.org.
   I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped out in the community during the past year. We provided a lot of improvement to Olde Mill in 2008. Two of the bigger accomplishments: First, the pool parking lot was repaved and second, the basketball courts were paved and refurbished. The State grant assisted us with the pool parking lot. The basketball court was fixed up with the assistance of FOOM (Friends of Olde Mill) and the community.
   Hope to see many of you at the February 4 meeting at the high school. We need your attendance to field a quorum for voting on the 2009 budget.
—VOMCA President Tom Stag

County Development Plan Open Discussions Are Scheduled
   Anne Arundel County is working on updating its General Development Plan on land usage and where growth and development will be directed. A GDP forum with county zoning officials had been scheduled for Old Mill High School on Jan. 28 but was cancelled because of bad weather. The remaining forum dates are listed below.
   • Tues., Feb. 3 at Southern High School, 4400 Solomons Island Rd., Harwood
   • Thurs., Feb. 5 at Meade High School, 1100 Clark Rd., Ft. Meade
   • Wed., Feb. 11 at North County High School, 10 E. First Ave., Glen Burnie
   All forums run from 6 to 9 p.m. and are held in the school cafeteria.
Go to http://www.aacounty.org/PlanZone/LongRange/GDP.cfm to view the draft plan.

Police Warn Against Possible Utility Repair Scam
   Northern District county police reported a possible ruse in Brooklyn Park that resulted in a suspected burglary attempt. One individual knocked on a homeowner’s door and claimed to be working for the water department, sent to inspect the water pressure. The subject then used a hand-held radio to communicate with a second subject after the suspect and the victim were both in the basement of the residence. It is believed the purpose of this communication was to let the second subject know it was clear to enter the residence. Once inside the home, the second subject may have gone through the residence looking for cash, jewelry, and other items.
   The Department of Public Works confirmed that they did not have any workmen in the area at the time of the incident. Representatives further advised that their department has no reason to enter a residence. All Department of Public Works employees wear county uniforms and drive trucks marked with county emblems. Homeowners should ask for an ID and contact the Department of Public Works at (410) 222-8400 to verify the reason and identity of anyone claiming to work for them.

Good Reasons to Join VOMCA and Swim Club
   There are 85 families in Olde Mill who have joined the community association so far this year. There are 1,300 families living in Olde Mill. So that means that less than 7% of our residents have joined VOMCA for 2009. We need to support our community by joining the association, and attending a few of the monthly meetings at Old Mill High School on the first Wednesday of each month. Your membership truly does make a difference, by giving us a larger unified voice with government officials and providing necessary funds to accomplish things in Olde Mill.
   The community association owns Barlowe Field where the pool and ball diamonds are. The County does not support or maintain Barlowe Field. The upkeep and taxes associated with this ownership are expensive. The activities that are provided for the community are financed through the $15 dues that resident members pay. To join please go to www.vomca.org for PayPal or to print out a 2009 membership form.
   Membership in the pool is also vital. Joining and supporting our pool provides many activities and enjoyment for children and adults alike. It is a wonderful resource for our children and teenagers providing a swim team that competes in the Central Maryland Swim League. Swim lessons are available for young and old alike, and the pool is handicap accessible. Exercising, relaxation, and activities for all are part of what makes our pool such a great investment. The pool can also be rented for private parties.
   Please plan now to join our swim club for summer fun. Watch for club membership information available at the pool entrance coming soon. Call 410-987-7890 for information about the swim club or go to www.vomca.org and click on the swim club link.

Dine, Shop, and Save Close to Olde Mill
   Entertainment Books for 2009 are still on sale. Buy one and save, not only on what you purchase, but save gas by buying locally. Some of the stores in the book located within 5 miles of Olde Mill include: Domino’s Pizza, Jiffy Lube, Royal Farms, Subway, The UPS Store, Blockbuster, Dunkin’ Donuts, Burger King, Cinnabon, Walgreen’s, Pizza Hut, Cici’s Pizza, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, and Radio Shack. Save on sports, clothing, entertainment, and, of course, eating out. Coupons for hotels, car rentals, and airlines are also included.
   The price is still $25, and the contact is still Sandy Sacra at 410-987-5736. Call to have one delivered or just to take a look at it.

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2009 VOMCA Membership

 Information/Application

Meetings are the FIRST Wednesday of each month at Old Mill High School
and June to September at the Pool

TO JOIN, complete this form, or visit the WEB site www.vomca.org and join using PayPal.  Please print the names of all members of your household who are 18 years or older, and mail it with one check for $15.00, payable to: Village of Olde Mill Community Association (VOMCA), P.O. Box 366, Millersville, MD. 21108.  Membership card(s) will be mailed to you. 

Names of Adults in Household______________________________________________

                              ___________________________________________________

Street Address: _________________________________________________________

Phone Number:_________________________________________ Unlisted?_______

Email: ___________________________ Occasional Volunteering?:  Yes___ No___

Occasional one-time projects at the pool and Barlowe Field come up.  If you can volunteer please email www.board@vomca.com. Note:  The Village Crier is now electronic; you can read it by going to the VOMCA website or signing up for email delivery there: www.vomca.org.